TL;DR
Mahindra & Mahindra celebrates 81 years, becoming India's second-oldest active carmaker, marking a strong period for its SUV and EV sales.
Mahindra & Mahindra celebrated its 81st anniversary on October 2, 2026, solidifying its position as India's second-oldest surviving automaker still actively manufacturing and selling vehicles. The company, initially incorporated as Mahindra & Mohammed on October 2, 1945, began as a steel trading business before venturing into automotive assembly with Willys Jeeps in 1949. Only Tata Motors, founded in September 1945, holds an older establishment date among major Indian manufacturers.
This milestone comes during a particularly robust period for Mahindra's automotive division. In FY2026, the company recorded record domestic SUV sales of 6,60,276 units, marking a 19.7 percent year-on-year increase. This performance propelled Mahindra's SUV market share to 21.3 percent, establishing it as the country's second-largest passenger vehicle manufacturer by volume for the fiscal year.
Furthermore, Mahindra's electric vehicle segment has witnessed significant acceleration, with its 'Electric Origin' SUVs, including the BE 6, XEV 9e, and the seven-seat XEV 9S, surpassing the 1 lakh-unit sales mark. The company's enduring legacy and recent successes underscore its significant contribution to the evolution of the Indian automotive industry.
